Dental Assisting (AAS and Certificate)

 Check out Eastern Gateway's Dental Assisting Program on Facebook.

Dental Assisting Professional Development CEUs information is here.

A dental assistant works in a variety of office situations, both specialty and general practice, or in a dental clinic, hospital or in the armed forces, performing office and clinical assisting duties. Duties can include: assisting the dentist with examinations and fillings; preparing instruments; exposing radiographs; maintaining infection control; performing laboratory procedures; and performing reception and office management procedures

The Dental Assisting Program is designed to provide the student with three dental career options leading to or enhancing employment in a dental office or dental clinic. Basic science courses prior to enrolling are encouraged; typing/computer course is required. (Passing grade in high school typing/computer course is acceptable.)

The one-year certificate option provides the student with opportunities to acquire knowledge in the area of dental terminology, dental materials, radiography, and chairside assisting. Classroom sessions are complemented by planned practical experiences in the college laboratory and dental offices. Upon successful completion of the one-year certificate program, the student will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination or the Ohio Dental Assistants Examination to become a certified dental assistant.

To be eligible for the national examination, a person must graduate from an accredited institution and have a current registration in CPR. Those successfully completing the examination are permitted to use the initials CDA following their names.

The CDA who desires to continue her/his education in dental assisting can enroll in second-year courses leading to an Associate Degree of Applied Science, Dental Assisting, as a second option. Courses in general studies and technically related courses are included in the second year for the student who wishes to further his/her education.

A third option leads to a certificate in Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) for dental assisting graduates from colleges other than EGCC. This option is available to the certified dental assistant (CDA), registered dental hygienist (RDH), or Ohio certified dental assistant (CODA) who may be working full time and is interested in learning expanded restorative procedures in the college’s dental clinic under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. This program is designed for the part-time student. In spring semester, the student will be required to complete additional time on campus in the college’s dental clinic. Along with a satellite program completed in the student’s assigned dental office, this will fulfill a student’s clinical requirements. Upon successful completion of the dental assisting restorative courses, the student qualifies to sit for the state of Ohio EFDA Examination. If successful on the state’s written and clinical exam, the graduate is permitted to use the EFDA initials following his/her name. Any student who fails the EFDA State Board Examination three times is required by the Ohio Commission on Dental Testing to retake the EFDA Program. These applicants will be granted re-admission into Eastern Gateway’s EFDA program only once.

The program director is Assistant Professor Tammy Graham. Her office number is 740.264.5591 x166.

Upon completion of the dental assisting program options, the graduate will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a conduct of ethical, legal, and professional standards in personal, clinical, and patient care.
2. Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills with patients, dental health teams, and other related health professionals.
3. Meet the necessary requirements to successfully pass the state and national examination in all areas of clinical practice of dental assisting (infection control, radiology, chairside assisting, and related sciences).
4. Practice proper infection control as well as personal, clinical, and patient safety in all aspects of dentistry.

Upon completion of the EFDA program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the skill to place and finish all metallic and non-metallic restorations in a patient’s dentition.
2. Demonstrate the skills to perform other clinical procedures approved by the Ohio Dental Board.
3. Meet requirements for placement of metallic and non-metallic restorations.

Eastern Gateway Community College's Student Success Plan/Assessment is available for view in PDF format.

This information is presented as a general program overview. Students are advised to follow the more detailed college catalog for program requirements.